1 The Comet's Descent

All the boy saw was a bloody-red sky extending beyond the horizon. The air he inhaled was filled with warm cinders, infusing the fragrance of burning corpses into his nostrils. Streams flowed down from his chin, drenching a crest with salty tears.

A hammering force from a bump awoken a flaxen-haired man from his dream. The deathly silence was replaced with a thunderous galloping, but that haunting memory still lingered. Outside the carriage, he saw a castle that bustled with life, even at night. It's prosperous air extended from miles away.

"It's unlikely for our empire to fall, Alucard." A paled-haired man said with a voice of someone reaching his twilight. Jewels were embedded on his golden crown, and his robes soft enough to induce someone into slumber. Even when everything was spoonfed to him, the emperor still yearned to protect his people.

"Nothing lasts forever." Alucard said, dismissing him with a brush of gloved right hand.

The stars looked like winking prinpricks on a veil of darkness. But that darkness embraced everything, it was only when a purplish comet travelled the expansive black did light truly ushered in. The audience of the celestial performance were all both amazed and afraid of the event

"A comet is an omen of many things. A bountiful harvest, a birth of a genius, even becomes a start of love as lips intertwined under it. But sometimes we wish it never came..." The emperor said.

Meanwhile, on one of the castle's terrice. A man stared at the comet. The lust for magic altered his muscles, organs, and even his bones. No longer resembling a human. It gave him a blue skin, reminder of magic's volatile nature. His look caused those who respected to banish him.

Gord feared the comet , but acceptance of fate was the only benefit his past gifted him.

"I hope you would give me time to recollect myself." He said, staring into the distance.

The sunlight gradually crawled out of the horizon to bathe Land of Dawn with light, but with it shadows were casted. A stray beam of light seeped through the carriage, lifting Alucard's eyelids. It was when cheers awaken both him and the emperor. The latter smiled while the former seemed deaf to it.

Alucard got out of the carriage, where rows of armored knights paved a way for him. While the emperor almost fell when trying to step out of the carriage, fortunately the coachman caught him.

A rumbling noise came as the castle gates were being opened. While sonorous cheers shook everyone's heart. Alucard has once again completed his mission. The people showered him with praises and flowers, but only one thing was there for him, the Temple of Light.

He went into a corner, where the shadows cloaked his movements. Having majority of his time completing missions, it became a habit to always be undetected. The shadows is where the Demon Hunter became undefeated.

Towering doors broke open, echoing inside the dark church. The light that came from the door illuminated a path paved by pillars. Every step he took echoed, until it stopped. The sunlight shone through the mosaic above, casting an eerie glow on him. While five robed man encircled him, waiting for his eventual return. The sun's warmth was an embrace their pale, bony figures barely experienced.

"Child, enlighten us with your elimination of the fallen angel, Argus."

"Killed, Father. Although the angel was deeply afraid of something. Something beyond the stars." Alucard kneeled as he answered.

A deeper silence filled the church. As for a moment, fear gripped their hearts. "The unknown is a looming threat, but it's nothing under our Temple's divine illumination." His tone sounded more like to reassured himself more than Alucard. But their false faith was enough for him.

Seeing the boy leaving, one asked, "What does this mean?". The church was filled with whispers, with only one voice ending their doubts.

"The past will remain as it is. Time is set as it is, nothing can change it."

Alucard not knowing what they discussed, watched the garden from one shadowy corner. The leaves shone like emeralds, while the wind carried a comforting chill. Birds enjoyed such serenity by chirping cheerful songs. But the grass rustled quietly, and the lack people gave an ominous emptiness. Everything felt artificial for him.

A certain leaf slowly withers only to revert back to it's verdant-green color. A bird gracefully soars the sky, only to stop midair for just a moment. The coldest winter wind from the north freeze the rustling grass, only to be melted by a scorching hot breeze reserved for a hot summer.

Everything stopped, only to have a deafening explosion shook the castle, and debris fell. But Alucard was long gone. A gloomy fear was etched in everyone's face, some collapsed while some started praying for the God's mercy. Unfortunately, those foolish enough to delay Alucard for even a single moment found themselves kicked out of his way. Their bones crackled from such force.

A commotion arouse inside the banquet room. The intoxicating fragrance of grilled meat and powdery-sweet desserts were forgotten. Only loud screams bounced endlessly inside. Alucard shoved the crowd out of his way, only to see Gord trying out in pain.

A mage winced in pain, his words muffled as he suppress the hell his going through. But his unfamiliar face arouse Alucard's intent to kill. The silvery-white steel that made the edges of his sword glistened with the countless blood it bathed in, with a blue light emanating from the mysterious power entrapped on it. The sword lusted for blood, unlike Alucard. But that moment of hesitation was enough for the emperor to stop his sword, inches away for Gord's chest. Though thankful for the emperor's action, he gave him a confused look.

"I invited Gord, and other lone heroes." But at that moment, Gord finally spoke.

"I'm s-sorry." A violent whirlwind of light gushed out, as the glow enveloped Gord. A suit made from advance technology came out of nowhere, slowly crawling on his body as it caged him inside. His blue skin turned pale, as thosw sorrowful eyes dissipated into one seeking to dominate.

The veil of light was lifted, as the half-machine Gord was birth. He tightened his fists, amazed by the amplification of his new body to his magical aswell as physical strength.

"The Conquerer has arrived." A floating board manifested into reality. While Gord, the Conquerer took satisfaction from everyone's confusion and fear. The floor cracked as Alucard leaped, his sword aiming for the Conquerer's chest. But the rings floating around his wrists formed a portal, leaving Alucard to stare at the purple light.

While everyone was rooted where they stood, Alucard jumped out of the window, in pursuit. A portal opened, Gord on his board gave a him a taunting look before teleporting to the castle's peak. But with his perfect acrobatic maneuvers, reaching it was breeze.

The winds were strong and cold, with the peak piercing the clouds. Gord's back greeted him, he was deeply intoxicated with the god-like view of the people he had.

"Destined to crumble, like the others." Gord then threw a barrage of condensed arcane magic at Alucard. One by one, they were all easily dodge, but every step draws him closer to the roof's edge.

Every spell he casted reminded him of his intoxicating power. Seeing Alucard forced to escape, a proud laughter echoed in the skies. The bricks rumbled as the rocket-like board was heading straight for Alucard. A particles swirled around his palm, forming an orb.

"Let's burn that pretty face of yours." Gord's face turned unsightly, but it soon turned into confusion as Alucard jump. The only thing he saw was his figure being caught by the clouds.

"Aaarggghh!" Blood dripped from Gord's back, as a voice ringed endlessly in his ears, "Did you enjoy your last meal?" Before the final blow was landed, Gord once again banished. But the flaxen-haired boy soon followed.

Window railings, terrices, Alucard used anything that his feet landed on to propel himself faster. Whenever he jumped, a blue after images were left. Pursuing a wounded prey is an art he knew too well. Once his feet touched the ground, his prey's fate is sealed. Having lose his aerial superiority was one thing, but add Alucard's knowledge of castle was the final nail to Gord's coffin.

With the help of shortcuts and secret passages, Alucard finally caught Gord. He stood on a puddle of his own blood, holding a young girl as hostage. Gord didn't even finished his threats when the Demon Hunter was already rushing towards him, with his sword taking the lead. Suddenly, a bright light stopped both Alucard and Gord. Sweat poured down like a river on the emperor's forehead, as his heaving gasps filled the room.

"Stop, Alucard. That's an order." He then looked at Gord. An blue and purple light converged at him. With only his screams filling the room. It was a replay of his transformation.

The domineering flicker on his eyes, was replaced by the deep-blue ocean of knowledge and wisdom. He crawled his way towards Alucard, forcing himself to whisper on his ears, "Our pasts are as malleable as our memories, this is a fatal weakness their race exploits." He stared back at those genuine eyes, before the mage finally collapsed. The emperor ordered for Gord's treatment, much to Alucard's confusion.

"Everything will be explained once he wakes up. Just rest for now." Before he could do anything, the emperor turned his back, a gesture for dismissal.